Ultrasound
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Maternal & Fetal Medicine Center of Southern California, Inc.
Khalil Tabsh, MD
Obstetrician & Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist located in Santa Monica, CA
Ultrasounds are standard screening procedures during pregnancy, helping you and the doctors see your developing baby. At Maternal & Fetal Medicine Center of Southern California, Inc., Khalil Tabsh, MD, provides standard ultrasounds and specialized high-resolution ultrasounds, including fetal Doppler flow studies, to get the best assessment of your baby and detect any potential complications. To take advantage of these advanced procedures that are not available at many practices in the area, call the office in Santa Monica, California, today to schedule a consultation.
Ultrasound Q & A
What is an ultrasound?
An ultrasound is a noninvasive screening that uses soundwaves to see inside your body. The test is painless and uses no radiation, so it’s safe for a growing baby and your internal organs.
During an ultrasound, the ultrasound technician runs a wand, called a transducer, over the area of your body that needs examination. Usually, for pregnant women, this includes the belly and pelvic area. Sometimes a transvaginal ultrasound is required. During this procedure, a sterile transducer is inserted into the vagina to give a better picture of the uterus.
Dr. Tabash offers standard ultrasounds, high-resolution ultrasounds, and specialized tests that use ultrasound, such as:
- Amniocentesis
- Chorionic villus sampling
- Nuchal translucency screening
During these specialized tests, the ultrasound guides the placement of the needle used to collect samples of tissue or fluid.
What is fetal Doppler flow ultrasound?
Doppler ultrasound assesses blood flow to the mother’s uterus and blood flow to the fetus. The screening helps Dr. Tabash evaluate the fetal environment. Signs of diminished blood flow indicate a worsening internal environment for the developing baby. Your baby may not grow appropriately, and you may need additional interventions to support pregnancy.
When are ultrasounds typically scheduled during pregnancy?
Most women get a minimum of two ultrasounds during pregnancy — one in the first and second trimesters. The first-trimester ultrasound helps determine the gestational age of the baby and the due date. It also confirms the baby’s heart rate and ensures that the baby is located where it should be and isn’t a tubal pregnancy.
Dr. Tabash can also assess how many fetuses are present. If you’re at risk of certain complications, this ultrasound may be scheduled as early as 4 ½ weeks, but it’s typically performed after six weeks of confirmed conception.
In the second trimester, an ultrasound can help determine if your pregnancy is progressing normally and reveal the gender of the baby.
If you’re high risk, you will likely be scheduled for additional ultrasounds. You may also need an ultrasound if you demonstrate unusual spotting. Carrying multiple babies means regular ultrasounds to monitor fetal growth. High-resolution and specialized ultrasounds are often ordered for high-risk pregnancies to spot complications early, should they arise. Early detection means a better chance of treatment.
To take advantage of some of the most advanced prenatal ultrasounds available, call Maternal & Fetal Medicine Center of Southern California, Inc. today.
